Cloth-piler.



A. RATHER.

CLOTH FILER.

APPLICATION IILEI) 0012.12, 1909.

T an Pas mm dL m S 11 ME /m MM N LT um I H d8 85 t n e m P WITNESSES: I I

QJW 17 THE NORRIS PETERS c0 wAsnma-rum p, c.

A. RATNER.

. ULOTH FILER. APPLIOATION I'ILED 001212, 1908. Patented June 1 1909 I a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Q I m Q v B *3 w n w Tl? W H F & g 1 lg 3 n in g 4% s h N l B \B 1* N lo H1 F WITNESSES:

1%;! QM w.

A. RATNER.

CLOTH PILBR.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12, 1908. 923,578. Patented June 1, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITE STATESi PATENT @IEFllQE.

AARON RATNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CLOTH-FILER.

York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cloth-Pilers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in machines for stretching and forming layers of fabric upon cutting tables, such as are used by manufacturers of underwear and the like, and, the invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel machine or apparatus comprising mechanism by means of which the bolts or rolls of fabric which are carried on a truck or carrier adapted to travel back and forth, from one end of the cutting table to the other, are automatically spread in layers, one above the other, upon the said cutting table, and the material or fabric is also automatically clamped at each. end, thus saving time and manual labor consumed in laying out and stretching the fabric upon the usually long cutting tables by hand, as is ordinarily the practice preparatory to cutting garments, underwear, and many other similar articles.

The present invention therefore, has for its principal objects to provide a novel, simple and cheaply constructed apparatus of the general character hereinafter set forth, in which the various parts of the mechanism, while automatic and effective in their operations, have been greatly simplified and reduced to a minimum; and, by means of which the layers of fabric may be quickly, evenly and smoothly stretched and clamped one above the other, ready for cutting.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, in connection with the truck or carrier upon which the bolts or rolls of fabric are carried, a pair of spreader-blades, and means connected with said spreader-blades for automatically adjusting the same vertically, so that, while the pile of fabric-layers increases in height, the said spreader-blades are automatically adjusted, in order that they are maintained in their spreading or op- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1 908.

Iratented June 1, 1909 Serial N0. 457,257.

erative position, always raised slightly above the top-layer of fabric, and that the said spreadenblades do not drag upon the said fabric, thereby reducing the friction, and rendering the operation of the truck or carrier much easier.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a clamping means at each end of the cutting table which will firmly and securely retain the ends of the layers of fabric deposited thereon, and thus keep the said layers of fabric smooth and unwrinkled or creased 1 and, furthermore, to provide a clamp which is automatically operated by contact with the traveling truck or carrier.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly mentioned will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

With these various objects of the present invention in view, the said invention con sists, primarily in the novel machine for stretching or forming layers of fabric upon a cutting table, hereinafter more fully set forth; and, furthermore, this invention consists, in the novel arrangements and combinations of devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claims which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which 1 Figure l is a side elevation of a cuttingtable equipped with the novel machine or apparatus for stretching or forming thereon the layers of fabric to be cut, the said machine embodying the principles of the present invention. Big. 2 is a top or plan view of the same, one end of the cutting table being represented as being broken away and the clamp thereon being omitted from said view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the truck or carrier, said section being taken upon line 3-3 in said ig. 2, and being made on an enlarged scale, showing the said truck as it is approaching a clamping device and about to automatically operate the same to deposit one end of a fabric layer thereunder. Fig. 4 is a similar view, illustrating the said truck or carrier still further advanced toward the clamping device and lifting the same, while a spreaderblade of said truck or carrier deposits the end of the layer of fabric under the holding or retaining weight of the clamping device. Fig. 5 is a view of the said truck or carrier and clamping device in the same position as shown in said Fig. 4, except that the section is taken centrally through both the truck or carrier and the clamping device. fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal vertical section of the said clamping device, taken on line 6 6 in said 2, but showing the holding or re taining weight of the clamping device in its raised position.

Simi ar characters of reference are employed in all of the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, the reference-character 1 indicates a cutting table or bench of any usual con struction. Mounted upon said cutting table or bench, and adapted to travel back and forth thereon, is a suitable truck or carrier, comprising a frame-work 2 which is provided with suitably disposed flanged wheels 3 adapted to engage with the longitudinal sides or marginal edges of the said cutting table 1. Secured in any suitable manner to the frame-work 2 of the truck or carrier is a platform 4 upon which may be placed, and are carried thereon, the bolts or rolls of cloth or other fabric, as 5, to be s read or stretched upon the said cutting tab e or bench in the manner to be hereinafter more fully set forth. Secured to the said frame-work 2 of the truck or carrier are suitably formed arms or brackets 6, preferably one upon each side of the truck or carrier, and mounted in the free end-portions 7 of said arms or brackets, so as to extend laterally across the said truck or carrier, and above the said platform 4 thereof, is a guide-rod 8, over which the said fabric 5 is carried. The said frame-work 2 is further provided at each end of the truck or carrier with other outwardly and upwardly extending arms 9, and mounted in the free end-portions of said arms are guide-rods 10 which extend laterally across the ends of the said truck or carrier. The fabric 5 may be carried from the said guide-rod 8 over either one or the other of said guide-rods 10. In like manner, the frame-work 2 is provided with centrally disposed lugs 11 in the free end-portions of which is mounted, so as to extend laterally across the said truck or carrier and beneath the said platform 4, another guide-rod 12 over which the fabric 5 is carried after passing over one of the said guide-rods 10, substantially in the manner shown in the several figures of the drawings.

Secured to each side of the frame-work 2 and upon the innersurfaces thereof, by means of studs 13 at the top and bottom of the frame-Work, are a pair of guide-bars 14. The said pair of guide-bars 14 upon the one side of said truck or carrier are provided with teeth or serrations 15 upon one of their edges, substantially as shown and for the purposes to be hereinafter disclosed.

Slidably arranged upon one pair of oppositely placed guide-bars 14 are a pair of spreader-brackets 16, to the lower portions of which is secured, in any suitable manner, a spreader-blade 17 which extends laterally across the interior of the truck or carrier. ihe said spreader-blade is provided at one edge with an upwardly curved portion 18. Secured upon the bottom of each of said spreader-brackets 16, in any suitable manner, is a shoe 19 which is provided at its one end with a curved portion 20 corresponding with the said curved portion 18 of said spreader-blade 17.

A shaft 21 is mounted in the said framework 2 in such a manner that it extends laterally across the interior of the truck or carrier, and is capable of an. oscillatory movement between the sides of the said framework. Secured to this shaft 21, by means of set-screws 22, or in any other suitable manner, are a pair of levers or arms 23, and opcratively secured to the free end-portion of each lever or arm is a suitable roller 24, the said rollers 24 being arranged in and being adapted to move back and forth in a channel or groove of suitable guide-n'iembers or elements 25 connected with each spreaderbracket 1 6,said shaft 21 ,the said levers or arms 23 and the said rollers 24, in connection with the said s ')readerbrackets 16, assure an even and smooth operation of the said spreaderblade 17 when the same is caused to slide up and down upon the said guidebars 14, during the operation of the clamping mechanism, as will be presently described; In lire manner, slidabl f arranged upon the other pair of oppositely placed guide-bars 14, are a pair of spreader-brackets 26, to the lower portions of which'are secured, in any suitable manner, a spreader-blade 27 which extends laterally across the interior of the truck or carrier. This said spreader-blade 27 is provided one edge with an upwardly curved portion 28. Secured upon the bottom of each spreader-bracket 26, in any suitable manner, is a shoe 29 which is provided at one end with a curved portion 30 corresponding with the said curved portion 28 of said spreader-blade 27.

A shaft 3] is mounted in the frame-work 2,

in such a manner, that it extends laterally back and forth in a suitable channel or groove of a suitable guide-member or element connected with each spreaderbracket 26. The said shaft 3], the said. levers or arms 33, and the said rollers 34 in connection with the said spreailerbraol cts 26, assure an even and smooth operation of said spreader-blade 27, when the same is caused to slide up and down upon the said guide-bars 14, during the opcratimi of the clamping mechanism, as will be presently dc scribed.

Rigidly secured in the frame-work 2, at each end thereof and extending laterally across the truck or carrier, beneath the latform 4, is a rod 86, and suitably fixed in proper position upon e ch rod 36, by means of set-screw 37, or any other suitable fastening means, is a suitable trip-device or actua 1 main body or member 39 is a suitably formed block or plate 41 which is provided at its outer end with a dowmvardly extending lug 42 adapted to engage with the side-edges of said cutting-table or bench 1, to hold the clamping device in proper position against lateral displacement when the said blocks or plates have een rigidly fixed in place by means of suitably shaped straps or yokepieccs 43 which recessed and extend over the tops of said blocks or plates 41, and are firmly held down secured upon the same. in a binding manner, by means of bolts 44 wh ch extend through the ends of said stra s 43 and are screwed into the said main body or inen'iber 39, as will be clearly evident.

Secured to the flange or upwardly extending member of said main body 39 a pair of forwardly extending frame-like members or brackets 45, one adjacent to each end of said main body or member 39. Each of the said frame-like members 45 are provided with a backwardly extending arm 46 and laterally mounted between said members or brackets 45 is a shaft 47. Secured rigidly to said shaft 47 and acent to each member 45 are suitable cams 4S. Rigidly connected to the free ends or portions of a shaft 49, rotatably mounted in the free ends of said bacliwardly extending arms 46 of the said frame-like members 45, are (damp-iron can riers 50. These carriers are provided wit; suitably formed rollers 51, suitably mounts; upon studs 52 which are rigidly secured to said clamp-iron carriers 50. These said rollers 51 are adapted to engage with the cams 48 for the purpose of raising said clampiron carriers 5,; and lowering the same during the operation of the clamping devices. The said clamp-iron carriers 50 are each provided with forwardly extending arms 53, and pivotally secured between the free ends of said arms 53, is clamp-iron or weight 54. Pivotally secured to each of said forwardly extending arms 53, upon the inner side thereof, and extending preferably in alinement therewith, are a pair of arms 55, said arms being capable of oscillatory movement Secured, in a suitable manner, to the free ends of said arms is a pin-clamp in the form of cross-bar 56 which extemlslaterally in back of said clamp-iron or weight 54, and is provided with downwardly extending or retaining pins 57, which are pointed or sharpened at their free ends. The said cross-l ar 56 is held in its normal position, back of said. clamp-iron or weight 54, so as to rise with the same when the clampingdevice is operated, for the insertion or arrangement of a layer of fabric thereunder. This is accomplished by means of a trip-bar 58, the free end 59 of which projects beneath the said cross-bar 56 and supports the same. This said trip-bar 58 extends l'iacliwardly along the inner side of one of the said forwardly extending arms and is slidably supported by means of a brackctpicce 60 which is provided with a pair of pins 61 between which the said trip-bar 58 passes. The said trip-bar 58 is furthermore bent outwardly, at 62, so that it passes beneath one of the said clamp-iron carriers 50, and the end 64 thereof is formed with a slot or elongated opening 65, so as to be slidably secured to the outer side of a lug 63 forming an integral part of said clamp-iron carrier 50, by means of a suitably arranged screw or similar clement 66 which projects into said slot or elongated opening 65. The end-pen tion 64 of said trip-bar 58 is also provided with an outwardly extending lug or projection 67. For the purpose of keeping the said trip-bar 5S normally in its supporting position with relation to sa' l cross-bar 56, there is provided a coiled spring 68, one end of which is secured to a hook 69, or similar fastening means, upon the under side of said trip-bar 56, and the other end of which is secured in any suitable manner to the side of said forwardly extending arm Trip- UK): pieces are secured in any well-known manner to the frame work 2 of the truck or carrier in suitable location so that at the proper time they will engage with the lug or projections 67 to force the same baclt and then operate the trip-bar 58 to release the cross-bar 56 so that the same may be dropped and its pins 57 engage with the fabric.

Secured by means of rivets 71, or any other suitable means, to the fraineuncmbcrs 45, are forwardly extending arms 72, upon the free end-portions of which is secured, in any suitable manner, a bed-plate 73 which extends laterally beneath the said clampiron or weight 54 and said cross-bar 56. The purpose of said bed-plate 78 is to provide a rigid and level base over which the ends of the folds of fabric 5 are laid, so as to be firmly held or secured by said clamp-iron 54.

liotatably arranged upon studs 74, upon the outer sides of the free end of each of said forwardly extending arms 53 of said clamp iron carriers 50, are rollers 7 5, and arranged upon the shaft 47 is friction-clutch 76 which is provided with an upwardly extending arm 77. The said friction-clutch 76 may be of any ordinary and well-known type, of which there are numerous mechanical constructions obtainable. The said frictionclutch of itself forms an element in the combination of devices comprising the clampmechanism of the present invention. The said friction-clutch 76 clutches or grips the shaft 47 when revolved in one direction and releases its clutch or grip upon said shaft 47 and revolves loosely thereon, when the same is revolved in the opposite direction. The purpose which the said friction-clutch 76 accomplishes is to drive or revolve said shaft 47 in one direction only, thereby rotating the cams 48, so that they will impart a lifting movement to the clamp-iron carriers 50, when the upwardly extending arm 77, which is rigidly secured to said friction-clutch 76,

\ is pushed backward by the operative contact therewith of the trip-device or actuating dog 38. After the fabric 5 has been de posited under the clamp-iron 54, and the carriage or truck is moved in the opposite direction, the said clamp-iron 54 drops upon the fabric 5 of its own weight, entailing in this downward movement the lowering of the clamp-iron carriers 50 with their rollers 51, which in turn act upon said cams 48 causing an opposite revolution of the same until the said clamp-iron 54 comes to rest in its clamping position upon the piled up fabric 5. The friction-clutch 76 is returned to its normal and initial position, ready for the next contact of the trip-device or actuating-dog 38, and in position to again revolve said shaft 47 in its operative direction to lift said clamp-iron 54, by being revolved in the opposite direction upon said shaft 47, which it does not grip during said reversed revolution. This return revolution of said friction-clutch 76 is caused by the action of a coiled spring 76, one end of which is secured to the lower end of said upwardly extending arm 77, and the opposite end of which is secured, in any suitable manner, to the flange 40 of said body or member 39. The clutch 76 is used simply to provide a suitable means for regulating the position of the cams 48 with relation to the clamp-iron carriers 50,

as the clamping level of the said clamp-iron or weight 54 is necessarily raised, as the increasing layers of fabric 5 are deposited thereunder.

The means for accommodating the respective spreader-blades 17 and 27 comprises the following mechanism. Each of the previously mentioned spreader-brackets 16 and 26 are provided with studs 78 which are arranged or connected with said spreaderbrackcts in such a manner that they are capable of oscillatory movements. Slidably arranged in the free ends of these studs 78 is a dog rod 79 which is provided at or near one end with a shoulder or flange 80, and in like manner, is provided at or near its other end with a shoulder or flange 81.. The end of said dog rod 79 provided with the shoulder or flange 80 is made with a nose-piece 82, adapted. to engage with one of the teeth or serrations 15 upon the previously mentioned guide-bar 14. A coiled spring 83 one end of which is secured to a lug 84 integrally formed upon said spreader-brackets, and the other end of which is secured by-means of a screweye or other fastening means 85 to the upper end-portion of said rod 7 9 tends to keep said nose-piece normally in engagement with the teeth or serrations 15 of the guide-bars 14. The operation and purpose of the above described device is as follows it is desirable to maintain the said spreader-blades always slightly above the layers of fabric 5, which they are spreading, so as to reduce friction in their operation and produce a more smoothly and evenly spread layer of fabric, and to accomplish this result, it is necessary to constantly raise the spreading level or operating level of the said spreader-blades as the layers of fabric piles up underneath the same. This is produced in the following manner:The nose-piece 82 engages with one of the teeth or serrations 15 of said guide-bars 14, and when the spreader-brackets slide downwardly on said guide-bars 14, the shoulder or flange 80 is brought in engagement with the said studs 78 and thus limits the downward movement of the said spreader-brackets, stopping the same so that the spreader-blades carried by said s preader-brackets are presented in a position slightly above the layers of fabric 5, and in position to spread or lay the fabric. i hen the spreader-brackets are raised by the action of the clamping device, which will be subsequently described, the rod 79 slides through the stud 78. The height of the upward swing of the clamping-device is governed by the amount of fabric beneath the clamping iron or weight, the upward move ment of the clamping device carrying the spreader-bracket upwardly until the stud 78 is brought in contact with the shoulder or flange 81 upon the upper end of said rod 79. The said rod 79 is then carried upwardly until the nose-piece 82 upon its lower end is caused to slide over the teeth or serrations of the guide-bars 14-, until the said nose-piece 82 engages with the next tooth or serration above; then, when the said spreader bracket is again dropped it will be brought to a stop at a point as much higher above the layers of fabric, as the distance between the teeth or serrations 15, as will be clearly evident, and as will be understood more particularly from an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

As it is convenient to keep a record of the number of layers spread by the machine a counting mechanism 86 of any well known type may be provided. This mechanism is operated by means of a spring-connection. 87 which is attached at one end with the operating arm 88 of said counting-mechanism, and at the other end with a lug or projection 89 secured to said stud 78, so as to move with each oscillation of the stud in a manner clearly to be understood from the accom panying drawings.

Having thus described the general construction and essential features of a machine or apparatus embodying the principles of this invention, it now remains to describe the operations thereOf while performing the work of stretching or spreading the cloth or fabric 5 upon. the cutting table 1.

Referring now, more particularly to Figs. 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein, the truck or carrier as it is approaching and beginning to operate the clamping device, after having spread a fold of the fabric 5 upon the cutting-table or bench 1.

Yr'hile the truck or carrier is moving alon the cuttingtable, both spreader-blades 17 and '27 are down; but, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the spreader-blade i7 is guiding or spreading the fabric, while the spreader-blade 27 is idle. When the truck or carrier reaches the clamping device, the idle spreader-blade 27 ls caused to pass over the top of the forwardly extending arms 53 of the clamp-iron carrier 50, the shoes 29 of the spreader-brackets 26 riding over the rollers 75. By this time the truck or carrier reaches such a position that, the clamp-operating device 88 is brought in contact with the arm 77 of the friction clutch 76, thereby driving the same backwardly and thus actuating the shaft 47 and cams 48. The latter engage the rollers 51 on the said clamp-iron carriers with a lifting motion, which being imparted to the forward'ly extending arms 53 of said clamp-iron carriers 50 imparts the upward. movement to the clamp-iron or weight 54, thereby lifting the same and allowing the still forwardly moving spreader-blade 17 to pass beneath the same, and to carry the fabric 5 therewith, as is shown more particularly in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings. By the time the fabric 5 has been inserted. beneath the clamping-iron or weight 54:, and above the bedplate 73, the trip-piece upon the truck or carrier reaches and pushes back the lug or projection 67 of the trip-bar 58 thereby releasing or drawing away the supporting end 59 from its supporting contact with the said cross-bar 56 and allowing the same to drop,

so that the pins 57 will engage the fabric 5 lowered by the descending arms 50 of the said clamp-iron carriers 50 to its spreading level and engages with that portion of the fabric 5 to be spread, to form the next layer. The truck or carrier is then pushed on toward the clamping-device at the other end of the cutting table 1, which is operated in the same manner, and, under the clamping-iron or weight of which the said spreader-blade 27 deposits the next layer of fabric, and thus the truck or carrier is shifted back and forth between the two c-lamping devices, depositing layer upon layer of fabric upon the cuttingtable or bench, as will be clearly evident.

As the truck or carrier moves away from the clamping device, the clamp-iron carrier 50, and its forwardly extending arms 53, drop downwardly and carry with them the said trip-bar 58. The end 59 of said bar, which is chamfered, snaps over the cross-bar 56 and the tension of the spring 68 returns said. trip-bar 58 and its end 59 to its supporting relation with said cross-bar 56, so that the same may be raised, when the clamping device is again. operated, in order that the fabric 5 may be deposited thereunder.

I am aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of parts, as well in the details of the construction of the same without departing from the scope of the present invention, defined in the appended claims. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and as described in the accompanying specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of'the said parts.

.i claim 1. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon. said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said cam-carrying shaft, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said cam-carrying shaft, and a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said cam-carrying shaft, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to enga e the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted. upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said cam-carrying shaft, and a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, and a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, laterally extending shaft mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon said shaft, a clamp-iron. carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the folded end-portions of the spread fabric, pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins, means for actuating said clamp-iron carrier, and a slidably arranged trip-bar normally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamps, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clamp-iron is in its raised position, and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon the fabric, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, and a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, laterally extending shaft mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon said shaft, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the folded end-portions of the spread fabric, a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins, means for actuating said clamp-iron carrier, and a slidably arranged trip-bar normally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamp, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clamp-iron is in its raised position, and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon the fabric, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flange plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. in an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cut ting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, clamping device at each end of the table, comprising pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clampiron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clampiron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said camcarrying shaft, pin-cl; np provided with a series of downwardly extenriling holding pins pivotally mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, and a slidably arranged trip-bar normally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamp, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clampiron is in its raised position, and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon the fabric, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In an apparatus for spreading fabric r upon a cutting table, the como'iation with a cutting table, of a boltcarrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, 21 pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted. upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other snaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, and means upon the truck for actuating said ca m-carrying shaft, a pin-clamp provided wit-h a series of downwardly extending holding pins pivotally mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, and a slidably arranged trip-bar normally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamp, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clamp-iron is in its raised position and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon he fabric, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, block arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. in an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck mov able back and forth. upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said cam-carrying shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said arm for actuating said clutch, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft ada ted to be brou "ht into en a ement with l b b the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said cam carrying shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said arm for actuating said clutch, and a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly oxtcnding holding pins mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon cutting table, the combination with. a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shafts adapted to be brought into engagement with the clamp-iron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said camcarry ing shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said. arm for actuating said clutch, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with. a downwardly ex tending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carriedv by said clampiron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clampiron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said cam-carrying shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said arm for actuating said clutch, and a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins mounted between said clampiron carriers, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting-table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, means carried by said. truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clampn'on carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clampiron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said cam-carrying shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said arm for actuating said clutch, a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins p'votally mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, and a slidably arranged trip-bar normally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamp, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clamp-iron is in its raised position, and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon the fabric, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth. upon said table, means carried by said truck for spreading the fabric in layers upon said table, a clamping device at each end of the table, comprising a pair of brackets, a pair of laterally extending shafts mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon one of said shafts, a clamp-iron carried by said clampiron carriers for clamping the fabric, cams mounted upon the other shaft adapted to be brought into engagement with the clampiron carriers for oscillating the same, a friction clutch upon said cam-carrying shaft, an arm extending from said clutch, and means carried by said truck adapted to be brought into engagement with said arm for actuating said clutch, a pin-clamp provided with a series of downwardly extending holding pins pivotally mounted between said clamp-iron carriers, and a slidably arranged trip-bar norm ally in supporting engagement with said pin-clamp, but adapted to be withdrawn from said supporting engagement when said clamp-iron is in its raised position, and returned to said supporting engagement when the clamp-iron has been lowered upon the fabric, and means for securing each clamping device in position against lateral displacement consisting of a flanged plate to which said brackets are secured, blocks arranged upon said plate, each block being provided with a downwardly extending lug adapted to engage the side-edge of the cutting table, a strap arranged over each block, and bolts connected with said strap and secured to said flanged plate, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth u on said table, vertical guide-bars, spreaderrackets, said brackets being arranged in pairs, a spreader-blade be tween said brackets, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a s reader-bracket, substantially as and for t 1e purposes set forth.

16. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, spreader-brackets, said brackets being arranged in pairs, a spreader-blade between said brackets, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm be ing provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a spreader-bracket, and a clamping device at each end of the table for clamping the folded endportions of the spread fabric, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, a spreader-bracket slidably arranged upon each guide bar, means connected with a bracket and engaging with a guide bar for regulating the sliding movement of the bracket, and a spreader-blade between each pair of brackets, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a.

spreader-bracket, substantially as and for t 1e pur oses set forth.

18. n an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, a spreader-bracket slidably arranged upon each guide bar, means connected with a bracket and engaging with a guide bar for regulating the sliding movement of the bracket, and a spreader-blade between each pair of brackets, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a s reader-bracket, and a clamping device at eac end of the table for clamping the folded end-portions of the spread fabric, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

19. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, one of said guide-bars being provided with serrations, a spreader-bracket slidably arranged upon each guide bar, a spreader-blade between each pair of brackets, and means connected with a bracket for regulating the sliding movement of the bracket, consisting of an oscillatory stud, a spring-controlled rod slidably connected with said stud, said rod having one end thereof in slidable engagement with the serrations of a guide-bar, and said rod being provided with a flange forming a stop, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

20. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, one of said guide-bars being provided with serrations, a spreader-bracket slidably arranged upon each guide bar, a spreader-blade between each pair of brackets, and means connected with a bracket for regulating the sliding movement of the bracket, consisting of an oscillatory stud, a spring-controlled rod slidably connected with said stud, said rod having one end thereof in slidable engagement with the serrations of a guide-bar, and said rod being provided with a flange forming a stop, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a later ally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a spreader-bracket, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

21. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, vertical guide-bars, one of said guide-bars being provided with serrations, a spreader-bracket slidably arranged upon each guide bar, a spreader-blade between each pair of brackets, and means connected with a bracket for regulating the sliding movement of the bracket, consisting of an oscillatory stud, a spring-controlled rod slidably connected with said stud, said rod having one end thereof in slidable engagement with the serrations of a guide-bar, and said rod being provided with a flange forming a sto each bracket being provided with a channe fed portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller 1 arranged within a channeled portion of a spreader-bracket, and a clamping device at each end of the table for clamping the folded end-portions of the spread-fabric, substan-' tially as and for the purposes set forth.

lid

22. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon. said table, a clamping device comprising a pair of brackets, a laterally extending shaft mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon said shaft, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers, vertical guide bars connected with said truck, spreadenbrackets slidably arranged upon said guide bars, and a connecting spreaderblade between said spreader brackets, said blade being adapted to be brought to rest upon said clamp-iron carriers so as to be moved in an upward direction by said carriers, substantially as and for the purposes, set forth.

23. In an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a cutting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck movable back and forth upon said table, a clamping device comprising a pair of brackets, a laterally extending shaft mounted between said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon said shaft, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers, vertical guide bars connected with said truck, spreader-brackets slidably arranged upon said guide bars, and a connecting spreaderblade between said spreader brackets, said blade being adapted to be brought to rest upon said clamp-iron carriers so as to be moved in an upward direction by said carriers, and means connected with a spreader bracket and engaging with a guide bar for regulating the sliding movement of the spreader brackets, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

24. in an apparatus for spreading fabric upon a rotting table, the combination with a cutting table, of a bolt-carrying truck mov able back and forth upon said table, a clamping device comprising a pair of brackets, a laterally extending shaft mounted between 4 said brackets, oscillatory clamp-iron carriers mounted upon said shaft, a clamp-iron carried by said clamp-iron carriers, vertical guide bars connected with said truck, spreadei brackets slidably arranged upon said guide bars, and a connecting spreaderblade between said spreader brackets, said blade being adapted to be brought to rest upon said clamp-iron carriers so as to be moved in an upward direction by said carriers and means connected with a spreader bracket and engaging with a guide bar for regulating the sliding movement of the spreader brackets, each bracket being provided with a channeled portion, a laterally extending shaft mounted in said truck, and arms extending from said shaft, each arm being provided at its free end with a roller arranged within a channeled portion of a spreader-bracket, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this first day of September, 1908.

AARON RATNER.

F. H. WV. FRAENTZEL, HERMAN GREENBERG. 

